UN Digital ID

The UN Digital ID is a transformative UN solution that provides its workforce with a universal and easy-to-use system-wide identity. Sponsored by the High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM), this initiative aligns on the Secretary-General’s UN80 and UN 2.0 vision for a transformed and more efficient UN. Launched in 2024, the UN Digital ID was made possible through the support of six founding organizations – UN Secretariat, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNJSPF, and WFP. The goal is to expand it across the entire UN system.

Why UN Digital ID?

A unified digital ID reduces data duplication and fragmentation, streamlining processes for the UN workforce and organizations. It allows users to securely, smoothly and seamlessly share personal and professional data while maintaining full control, ownership and visibility. The benefits of the UN Digital ID are outlined below:

Where are we now?

• June 2024: Launched the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with the first use case — allowing staff to share verified data with the UN Joint Pension Fund (UNJSPF) before retirement for faster pension processing.
• September 2024: Started implementing two other use cases, expanding the user base:
   
  • BSAFE Security Training – BSAFE completion certificate and log-in with UN Security Management System (UNSMS) and security clearance (TRIP)
  • Inter-agency Staff Movements – UN Digital ID to facilitate inter-agency transfers, loans and secondments

By consolidating digital identities and automating key processes, UN Digital ID reduces operational costs and bureaucratic delays. Staff members and organizations will experience faster turnaround times and seamless sharing of verified information.

These milestones pave the way for broader implementation.

The UN Digital ID is developed with eight key principles in mind:

Background and Governance

The UN Digital ID started as a winning idea from the Reimagine the UN Together Challenge. Its Terms of Reference (ToR) were first approved at the 42nd HLCM Session in October 2021, and later updated in June 2024 with an expanded Programme Charter.
The programme is overseen by the Executive Steering Committee, chaired by the HLCM Chair and made up of Management Administration Heads of Participating Organizations. Governance is supported by:

• Joint Working Group (Business Owners' Board & Technology Advisory Committee)
• Inter-agency Programme Team

With strong governance and inter-agency collaboration, the UN Digital ID is driving a more connected and efficient UN system.

If you are part of the UN family, learn more about using the UN Digital ID here.